American alt-tech platform owned by TMTG, backed by Donald Trump
The White House has hosted "UFC Freedom 250" on its South Lawn to mark the US semiquincentennial and the president's 80th birthday. A 92ft steel structure called "The Claw" has framed seven fights inside an Octagon built near the Oval Office. Court challenges have failed and organisers say UFC has spent more than $60m on production.
Former President Donald Trump cast a mail-in ballot in a Florida special election for state legislature, despite his vocal criticism of mail-in voting. Records show he has been registered in Palm Beach since 2019 and has previously mailed ballots. His vote coincides with his ongoing campaign against mail-in voting laws.
Rama Duwaji, New York City's first lady, has expressed regret for harmful social media posts she made as a teenager, including racial slurs and praise for Palestinian militants. The revelations have intensified scrutiny on Mayor Zohran Mamdani's administration, which is already facing criticism over his associates' controversial views and tenant issues in the city.
President Trump has issued a stark warning to Iran, claiming a civilization will die tonight if Iran does not reopen the Strait of Hormuz by 8pm ET. He has also announced plans for regime change, escalating military actions and diplomatic tensions amid ongoing conflict in the region.
Multiple new accounts on Polymarket placed large bets on a US-Iran ceasefire before President Trump announced it, raising concerns over insider trading. Similar patterns have emerged around other geopolitical events, prompting investigations and legislative proposals to regulate prediction markets more strictly.
President Trump has publicly criticized Pope Leo XIV for opposing the Iran war and has posted an AI-generated image depicting himself as a healer, which has sparked widespread backlash from religious and political figures. The controversy highlights ongoing tensions over US foreign policy and religious symbolism.
The Reflecting Pool at the Lincoln Memorial is being coated with an American-flag blue industrial-grade surface as part of a cost-saving renovation. Officials say the project is underway and aims to fix leaks and improve the pool’s appearance in time for national celebrations, with costs widely discussed.
German chancellor Friedrich Merz has said the US is being "humiliated" by Iran and has criticised the lack of a US exit strategy in the US‑Israeli war on Iran. President Donald Trump has publicly attacked Merz, and the US is considering scaling back troop numbers in Germany while NATO and Berlin are discussing European defence responsibilities.
Gannon Van Dyke, a 38-year-old Army master sergeant at Fort Bragg, has been charged with using confidential government information for personal gain and other offenses linked to a $33,000 series of bets on the Maduro raid, which netted about $409,000 on Polymarket. He has been released on bail with travel restrictions and faces further court dates.
The White House has said Iran is being countered after American and Israeli actions in the region. President Trump has claimed a military victory against a regional opponent, while King Charles III has encouraged continued Western unity during his US visit. The Times of Israel notes the king’s emphasis on NATO and Ukraine, as Trump presses for a nuclear-weapon-free region. Reuters confirms the mixed reception of Trump’s Iran stance during a state dinner.
The president has continued to press the blockade as a pressure tool in the two‑month conflict, stating Iran must agree to dismantle its nuclear program before any deal can be reached. Tehran has pledged to disrupt Hormuz traffic further as the war persists and energy markets remain unsettled.
Rudy Giuliani has been hospitalized in Florida and remains in critical but stable condition, his spokesperson Ted Goodman has said. Goodman has attributed complications to restrictive airway disease linked to 9/11 dust exposure; details on timing and the specific hospital have not been disclosed. Trump and other figures have issued public statements.
The US has paused its Project Freedom operation to guide stranded ships through the Strait of Hormuz after saying "great progress" has been made in negotiations with Iran and at Pakistan's request. Iran's IRGC has said it will ensure safe transit under new procedures, while tensions and attacks in the strait are continuing to disrupt shipping.
The United States has paused its ship escort operation through the Strait of Hormuz as it pursues a peace deal with Iran. Officials say the blockade of Iranian ports remains in place while Washington tests an agreement, with Iran insisting on a fair, comprehensive settlement.
The Guardian, France 24 and Reuters report that Donald Trump has posted that there will be a three-day ceasefire in the Russia-Ukraine war from 9 to 11 May, with a 1,000-prisoner swap from each side; both Moscow and Kyiv accuse the other of ceasefire violations. Zelenskyy has confirmed the prisoner exchange.
As of 09 May 2026, the US has said it is reviewing a 14-point peace proposal sent by Iran via Pakistani mediators while Tehran has been tempering expectations, calling the US offer a "wish list." President Trump has signalled talks are "very good" and a deal "very possible," but has also warned military action remains on the table.
President Trump is in Beijing for talks with Xi Jinping amid U.S.-China tensions over Iran, fentanyl precursors, and trade. Beijing has shown warmth but is not promising a major breakthrough while Washington pushes for a China-led trade board.
The president has reused social media to push conspiracy theories about former officials, attacked media coverage, and posted war‑themed AI images amid ongoing Iran tensions and a fragile ceasefire.
The White House has pursued a high-profile ballroom project while facing pressure over the Iran war and rising fuel costs. Trump has repeatedly highlighted the ballroom, drawing criticism from Republicans who say it diverts attention from the economy.
The United States and Iran have described a framework to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and dispose of Iran’s stockpile of highly enriched uranium. Negotiations are unfolding in stages, with a 60-day window for finalizing remaining nuclear terms, while broader issues are staged for later rounds.
The United States and Iran have been negotiating a memorandum of understanding that would extend the current ceasefire by 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz without tolls and launch talks on Iran's nuclear programme. Officials have reported progress but key disputes remain over frozen Iranian assets, highly enriched uranium and precise sequencing of sanctions relief.
The United States and Iran have extended a ceasefire by 60 days as negotiators work toward a framework to end the war, reopen the Strait of Hormuz, and address Iran’s nuclear programme. Trump has set out demand-laden conditions on Truth Social, while Tehran and Washington say progress is being made, though key sticking points remain.
Since mid May, multiple outlets have reported that the Justice Department has reached a settlement resolving President Trump’s $10bn lawsuit against the IRS, creating a $1.8bn "anti-weaponization" fund and barring existing IRS audits of Trump, his family and affiliates. Critics, courts and lawmakers have raised legal and ethical objections; separate reporting shows Trump is also directing high-profile public-works projects and White House renovations that are drawing criticism over cost and optics.
President Donald Trump has confirmed he angrily confronted Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a recent phone call over Israel's strikes in Lebanon, saying he told Netanyahu to stop. Trump has insisted the pair still have a strong relationship while US-mediated talks with Iran are continuing and fighting in Lebanon remains active.
President Donald Trump has named Bill Pulte, the Federal Housing Finance Agency director and chair of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac, as acting director of national intelligence. Pulte will keep his housing posts, has no known intelligence experience and can serve up to 210 days without Senate confirmation, prompting bipartisan concern about politicising the intelligence community.
In the runoff, leftist Ivan Cepeda and conservative Abelardo de la Espriella are set to clash over Colombia’s future: Cepeda promises to deepen social reforms and peace talks, while de la Espriella pledges a security crackdown and pro-business policies. Polls suggest a tight race as voters weigh Petro’s legacy and regional violence.
Trump has claimed without evidence that Democrats are cheating in California's primaries and says the U.S. attorney's office is investigating. Counting continues into a delayed process driven by mail-in ballots, with Steve Hilton leading the governor's race and a run-off set for November. Observers warn of misinformation as results stretch over weeks.
The US House has advanced a War Powers resolution aimed at constraining President Trump’s authority to wage war on Iran. The measure, passed 215-208 with some Republicans crossing party lines, faces a likely Senate test and a presidential veto. The move comes amid ongoing clashes and ongoing negotiations with Tehran.
In the past 48 hours President Trump has pressed Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avoid retaliatory strikes in Lebanon and Iran while negotiating a possible deal with Tehran. Israeli strikes on a Hezbollah target in Beirut provoked Iranian missile fire, and Trump has warned Netanyahu that unilateral escalation would risk dragging Israel into a wider war and could leave it isolated.
The government has renewed debate over Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act as a lapse looms. President Trump has named Bill Pulte as acting DNI, triggering bipartisan concerns and stalling renewal talks while lawmakers debate guardrails and timing.
President Donald Trump has announced Jay Clayton as his nominee for director of national intelligence while Bill Pulte is serving as acting DNI and ordered immediate staff cuts at the Office of the Director of National Intelligence. Pulte’s interim appointment and lack of intelligence experience have provoked bipartisan concern and stalled a key FISA surveillance renewal in Congress.
Trump has granted a full, unconditional pardon to Stephen Buyer, a former Indiana congressman and Gulf War veteran, who served 22 months in prison for insider trading in 2023. The pardon dates to June 4 and is being released amid ongoing Republican-led rhetoric on corruption and a broader wave of clemency. Buyer maintains innocence and says the decision corrects a politically motivated prosecution; several Republican figures have supported the pardon.
Iran has launched missiles at Israel in retaliation for strikes on Beirut, triggering Israeli airstrikes across Iran. The exchange marks the latest escalation in a conflict linked to the US-Israel war on Iran, with attacks hitting Lebanon, Tehran, and northern Israel as political and military leaders warn of broader consequences.
Israel and Iran have exchanged strikes for the first time since an April ceasefire and then halted offensive action after intense exchanges. Iran fired ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Lebanon; Israel struck military and energy sites in Iran. Both sides have warned they will resume if attacks continue.
Open primary results show Nithya Raman has overtaken Spencer Pratt for the L.A. mayoral runoff spot, with Karen Bass leading the field. Counting mail ballots continues, keeping the outcome unsettled as of today.
The United States has carried out strikes on Iranian targets after a U.S. Army AH-64 Apache has gone down near the Strait of Hormuz. President Donald Trump has said Iran shot the helicopter; U.S. officials and CENTCOM are investigating. Iran has responded with missile and drone attacks on U.S. bases across the Gulf and has reported civilian infrastructure damage.
A bipartisan push to codify permanent daylight saving time is gaining traction in Congress, with President Trump lobbying lawmakers and some Republicans signaling support. The effort seeks to end the twice-yearly clock change, arguing it would bring daylight to evenings and boost economic activity, but faces concerns from farmers, sleep experts, and some GOP skeptics.
The Epstein files and a Justice Department memo have intensified tensions inside the White House as Vice President Vance and aides press for a transparent, unified response. MAGA allies demand full disclosure while internal disagreements swirl, prompting heightened scrutiny of Pam Bondi and other officials.
The Bureau of Labor Statistics has reported that U.S. consumer prices rose 4.2% in the 12 months through May, the fastest annual pace since April 2023, driven largely by a surge in energy and gasoline costs. Core inflation has remained cooler at 2.9%, while producers’ prices and oil-driven wholesale gains have also accelerated ahead of the Federal Reserve’s June meeting.
The United States has launched strikes in response to the downing of a U.S. Army Apache helicopter over the Strait of Hormuz. President Trump has insisted Iran must sign a deal, while Tehran has responded with missile strikes against bases hosting U.S. troops in the region. The situation is rapidly evolving, with ongoing threats and so far no durable diplomatic resolution.
Trump has vowed to strike Iran and seize Kharg Island's oil infrastructure as negotiations on a temporary deal intensify. U.S. strikes continue overnight amid a fragile ceasefire, with talks focusing on phased asset release and humanitarian considerations.
The Strait of Hormuz remains pivotal in global energy flows as attacks disrupt shipping. Analysts say oil from Gulf Arab states is reaching markets with U.S. help, while sanctions, blockades and threats influence the trajectory of the war and the global economy.
Trump says discussions with Iran have been approved at the highest level and that scheduled strikes have been canceled, but multiple outlets question whether a deal will actually materialize as talks continue amid conflicting signals and renewed threats.
The Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool’s renovation has been completed with a nanobubbler system to keep algae at bay. The project, costing about $14.2 million, has drawn mixed reactions over its cost and design, with Interior officials defending the work and opponents pointing to procurement concerns.
The United States has said a memorandum of understanding with Iran could be signed imminently to extend a ceasefire for 60 days, reopen the Strait of Hormuz and begin talks on Iran's nuclear programme. Iran has disputed the immediate timing, saying a signing could occur "in the coming days" while final reviews continue.
U.S. forces have carried out an airstrike that has killed Héctor Rusthenford Guerrero Flores, known as Niño Guerrero, the leader of the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, U.S. and Venezuelan officials have said. The operation has been described as coordinated with Venezuelan security forces and targeted a compound in Bolívar state earlier this week.
Negotiations mediated by Pakistan and Gulf partners point toward a virtual signing of a U.S.–Iran memorandum to end the war, with the Strait of Hormuz opening immediately afterward. Officials warn the MOU does not resolve core goals and raises security concerns for Israel and regional powers.
Beirut strikes are happening as Washington and Tehran pursue a landmark accord. Trump has claimed the deal will be signed today, while Israel is warned to avoid further Lebanese targets; officials caution that any escalation could derail the agreement.
The United States and Iran have agreed on a memorandum that will end military operations immediately and permanently, Pakistani mediators say. Leaders have scheduled a signing ceremony for 19 June in Switzerland. The deal reportedly includes reopening the Strait of Hormuz, release of frozen Iranian assets and a temporary halt to nuclear enrichment talks.